While death is a universal certainty, many of the most frequent causes of premature demise are entirely avoidable. This stark reality is a daily confrontation for Dr. Ashely Alker, a board-certified emergency medicine physician and self-described "death escapologist." In her new book, 99 Ways To Die: And How to Avoid Them, she highlights common, yet deadly, threats that can be mitigated with simple knowledge and precautions.
Hidden Dangers in Medicine and Food
Some of the gravest risks are found in items we consider harmless. Acetaminophen (sold as Tylenol) is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States. Adults should never exceed 4,000 milligrams within a 24-hour period, a limit that is lower for smaller individuals or those with existing liver issues.
Similarly, iron supplements, including prenatal vitamins, can be fatal in an overdose and must be kept securely away from children.
In the kitchen, vigilance is key. Botulism poses a significant threat, not from cosmetic Botox, but from the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Its spores, common in soil, become dangerous in low-oxygen environments like improperly home-canned goods. This is also why honey, which can contain the spores, is forbidden for infants under one. A 2025 infant formula recall by ByHeart due to botulism contamination led to an estimated 83 cases of infantile botulism.
Even the humble potato can turn toxic. Green or sprouting potatoes produce solanine, a neurotoxin. A 1952 outbreak in North Korea, linked to stored wartime potatoes, affected hundreds and killed dozens.
Environmental and Biological Threats at Home
The home environment itself harbours silent killers. While over 90% of homes have smoke alarms, up to half lack a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. This odourless gas causes swift death by preventing oxygen from reaching vital organs. Alarmingly, only 28 US states mandate CO detectors in homes, often only for new builds, and daycares are not federally required to have them—a gap highlighted by the 2022 poisoning of 24 children at a Pennsylvania nursery.
Popular houseplants can also be perilous. Any plant with "lily" in its name—like calla, peace, or lily of the valley—is poisonous. Ingestion can cause severe throat swelling, blocking the airway. Tulips, irises, and rhododendrons are also toxic.
Water, essential for life, can be lethal if consumed in extreme excess. Hyponatremia occurs when the kidneys cannot process excessive water intake, diluting blood sodium levels. This can lead to brain swelling, seizures, and death, a mechanism thought to have contributed to the death of Bruce Lee.
Preventable Infections Making a Comeback
Vaccine-preventable diseases are resurging due to waning immunisation rates. Hepatitis B infects an estimated 1.2 million people annually globally and causes 1.1 million deaths yearly, often from liver cancer. The World Health Organization notes 254 million people are chronic carriers.
Ninety percent of infants infected with Hepatitis B develop chronic infection, with a quarter dying from it. This makes a recent shift in US CDC guidance, no longer recommending routine Hepatitis B vaccination for infants, highly controversial. Experts warn this decision lacks scientific basis and will result in infant deaths.
Common infections also carry hidden risks. An untreated strep throat can lead to deadly complications like rheumatic fever or kidney disease. While antibiotics may not drastically shorten illness in all, they are crucial for preventing these severe outcomes.
Finally, sexually transmitted infections present a growing threat. Gonorrhoea is on the CDC's "superbug" watchlist due to rising antibiotic resistance. Consistent condom use and regular STI screening remain vital defences against infections that are far from trivial.
Dr. Alker's work underscores a powerful message: awareness and simple preventative measures are our most potent tools against many untimely deaths. From securing a CO detector to respecting medication dosages, these actions can truly save lives.
